Valve structure



Sept. 22, 1931.

'P. D. HUSHOUR V 1,824,434

VALVE STRUCTURE Filed June 8, 1929 Patented Sept. 22,1931

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PERRY D. HUSHOUR, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO WALTER M. CHABMAN, OF

' YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO VALVE STRUCTURE Application. filed June 8, 1929. Serial No. 369,853.

' not limited with respect to its particular use,

it being adaptable for the handling of any gaseous medium where it is necessary to resistcomparatively high temperatures.

In the construction of open hearth furnaces, it is necessary to use large gate valves not only in the exhaust passages, but-also inthe supply or inlet passages. These passages, in open hearth parlance, are frequently referred to as sewers. Such sewers are not uncommonly called upon to handle gases at temperatures well above two thousand degrees (2Q00) Fahrenheit. For this reason,

it is considered essential not only that the gate valve itself shall be water cooled, but that water cooling shall also be provided for the valve seat.

It is customary in the art to which the present invention relates, to utilize water cooled valves comprising sheet metal side and edge portions which define a water passage of relatively large cross-sectional area, around substantially the entire periphery of the valve, as well as a hollow chamber connecting the edges and through which the water passes. This type of valve, while effectively serving the purposes for which it is intended during normal conditions of operation, is open to several objections, two of which will be referred to, and either of which is of such serious nature as to make the use of such a valve somewhat hazardous.

It is, of course, impractical to carefully filter all of the water utilized for water cooling purposes. Since this cooling water is drawn freely from a source of supply, itcarries a fairly large percentage of solid matter including no small amount of mud and sand. This foreign matter tends to collect in the lower part of the gate, it not infrequently accumulating to a depth of four or five inches. This deposit forms an insulation between the cooling water and the lower edge. Thisrebeing hollow, there are sults in a non-uniform temperature condition in different portions ofthe gate, whereby the total expansion in different portions correspondingly varies. This differential in expansion and contraction causes the gate to crack, such cracks generally occurring near the bottom portion adjacent the regions of sediment deposit, although the cracking is not always so localized.

When cracking occurs, it is obviously necessary to withdraw the valve and repair the same, as otherwise. it is incapable of erforming its normal scaling functions. is not only results in a considerable loss of time, which is extremely important from the standpoint of open hearth operation, but re-- sults in a considerable ex enditure both of time and labor, both of w ich are at a premium.

Another disadvantage of gates of this type is that substantially the whole of the inside provided large surfaces for contact with water. While such large surfaces are desirable from the standpoint of heat interchange and complete cool ing of the refractory portions, where refractory is utilized, they are decidedly ob'ectionable from the standpoint of possib e temporary cessation of the cooling water supply, due either to failure of the water supply source, or to clogging of the sup ly lines. In such cases, the gate runs dry. Thereafter, the supply of cooling water may be resumed, and the cool water brought into contact with the heated metal defining the cooling chamber. This sudden contact between the cool water and the hot metal causes the water to explode or flash into steam, with the consequent generation of tremendous pressures sufiicient to break not only the gate and casing, but also the gate seat and the brickwork adjacent thereto. While this obviously requires at least a temporary shut-down, such shut-downs are of'minor importance compared to the possible loss of life of workme employed onor about the furnace. The present invention provides an improved valve structure not onl overcoming difficulties of the character re erred to, but also giving a valve which may be produced at a considerably lower cost than valves of the character now in common use, and which may be very efliciently'operated.

In the drawings, I have shown for purposes of illustration, a preferred embodimentv of the present invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gate frame in partly completed condition, the view being for the purpose of illustrating the water circulating connections;

Figure 2 is a side 'elevational view of a completed gate;

Figure 3 is an edge elevational view of the gate of Figure 2;

Figure 4: is a vertical sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional View on the line VV of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one end of the tie rods; and

Figure 7 is a detail elevational view of one of the refractory sections.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of. the present invention, suitable lengths of pipe are bent in any desired man-- ner into substantially the form illustrated in Figure 1 to provide combined side frames and seats 2 and 3, respectively.

The side 2 may be provided with a water inlet connection 4, and the side 3 with a similar outlet connection 5. Extending between and interconnecting the water circulating spaces within the two side-frames, is a cross connection 6. The free ends 7 of the frames are closed in any desired manner, thereby causing water supplied through the inlet 4 to circulate peripherally through the frame 2,

transversely through the connection 6 into. the frame 3, and thence through the frame 3 to the outlet 5.

The construction thus far described, provides a water circulating path of substantially constant cross sectional area from end to end thereof, whereby the water used for cooling purposes is caused to circulate at a substantially constant velocity. This is decidedly advantageous inasmuch as it maintains a water flow such that the precipitation of solids in any portion of the frame is prevented,

the velocity of water flow being such that such solids are carried out through the outlet. In this way clogging of the connections is prevented, and a substantially constant supply of cooling water insured.

Extending between, and secured to the cl sedend s 7 of the side frames, is a top plate 8, cdnveniently in the form of a channel having downtur'ned side edges 9 adapted to lie substantially in the plane of and constitute a continuation of the outer faces ofthe frames 2 and 3, respectively.

Secured to the top plate 8, or formed in tegrally therewith in any desired manner, is

a pair oflugs 10, to which suitable operating connections for the gate are adapted to be attached.

The top plate and cross connection 6 serves to effectively maintain the side frames in the desired spaced relationship at their upper portions. It is necessary, however, that they be maintained in similar spaced relationship, throughout their entire peripheries, and for this purpose there are provided, at suitably spaced points, transversely extending braces 11, welded at their opposite ends to the insides of the respective pipes 2 and 3. These braces, when properly secured in position, holds the side frames against lateral warping or buckling in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of flow of fluids past the valve when it is in operative position. It is, however, necessary to provide means for preventing distortion of the gate in a direction at substantially right angles thereto, and this may be accomplished by the use of tie rods 12, preferably having their ends 13 shaped as indicated more particularly in Figure 6 to provide spaced concave seats .14, adapted to extend between and engage the side frames 2 and 3, as illustrated more particularly in Figure 5 of the drawings. It is unnecessary to weld or otherwise secure these tie rods in position, inasmuch as the ends 13 may rest directly on braces. 11.

The various parts having been assembled in substantially the manner referred to, the completed frame is ready for the reception of a refractory filling. While this filling may be of any preferred type, it is preferably composed of a series of individual sections, each of which is conveniently in the, form either of a standard brick, or a brick of special dimensions.

Refractory filling means of the latter character is herein illustrate d, although it will be understood that the utility of the invention is not limited in this respect. Each of these bricks 15 preferably has a width W,

which is less than the outside dimension of the gate from side frame to side frame, whereby with the bricks in position between the side frames, these frames will project sufliciently beyond the sides of the brick so that such frames will directly cooperate with the seat or seats with which the gate cooperates, and define the actual seating surface of the gate. In order to properly interlock the sections in any given course, each of the bricks may be provided with a concave surface 16 at one end and with a correspondingthe bricks 15 may have a similar thickness T, i

or a thickness which is divisible in whole numbers into the distance D, such, for example, as 1, 2, or 3 inches. I have herein illustrated bricks each having a thi"kness of aproximately three inches, the bricks alying adjacent to and on opposite sides of the tie rods 12, being provided with opposed longitudinally extendin recesses 18, adapted to receive, substantiai ly' embrace, and protect such tie rods, This, in turn, serves to more effectively interlock the sectional filling with the frame structure.

The overall length L of each of the sections also preferably bears a direct relation to the length of the top plate 8. Conveniently, the length of each section is substantially equal to the length of such top plate, thereby greatly facilitating the building-up operation. The gate when completed has a weight which is considerably greater than the weight of gates now in use, thereby insuring a better seating of the gate when the hoisting mechanism is so operated as to permit lowering thereof. This is decidedly advantageous in that it effects a more complete closing of the sewer in which the gate is provided.

With the gate in closed position, the frames 2 and 3 not only constitute seats for each gate, but also define a localized, relatively cooler, area of contact which cools the gases being controlled and causes a carbon deposit at the points where the gate fits against its seat, thus forming in effect a. carbon seal, which still further improves the efiiciency of the entire installation.

The decreased water capacity of a gate of this character is not only of advantage in that it maintains a substantially uniform velocity of flow as hereinbefore referred to, but for the further reasons thatv it decreases the total quantity of cooling Water required, and also decreases the metal area with which the cooling water contacts. By reason of this relatively smaller area, in the event of a temporary cessation of the supply of cooling water and the subsequent renewal of water supply, there is not established such a condition as to permit of steam generation suflicient to disrupt the gate.

All of the foregoing advantages, together A with the advantage of relatively lower cost, are inherent in a gate structure of the. general construction herein disclosed.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the utility thereofis not limited to the exact structural features disclosed, and that changes therein may be made as desired.

I claim 1. As an article of manufacture, a valve comprising a pair of laterally disposed seatdefining water cooled members of substancomprising a pair of laterally offset substantially parallelly positioned discontinuous water cooled side frames, means for circulating cooling water therethrough, and a top plate secured to the spaced ends of said frames.

5. As an article of manufacture, a valve comprising a pair of hollow water cooled side fra mes disposed in side by side relationship, and spacing and tying means cooperating with said frames for maintaining the same in predetermined spaced cooperative relationship.

6. As an article of manufacture, a valve comprising a pair of hollow watercooled side frames disposed in side by side relationship, spacing and tying means cooperating With said frames for maintaining the same in predetermined spaced cooperative relationship, and a refractory filling between the frames.

7. As an article of manufacture, a valve comprising a pair of spaced water cooled side frames, spacing and tying means cooperating with said frames for maintaining the same in predetermined spaced cooperative relationship, and a refractory filling in the space between said frames, said filling comprising a pluralityof individual sections.

8. As an article of manufacture, a valve comprising spaced side frames, tie rods extending between said frames, and a sectional refractory filling in the space intermediate said frames, each section of said filling having a thickness which is amultiple of the distance between adjacent tie rods.

9. As an article of manufacture, a valve comprising spaced side frames, tie rods extending between said frames, and a sectional refractory fil ing in the space intermediate said frames, each section of said filling having a thickness which is a multiple of the distance between adjacent tie rods, certain of said sections having recesses for cooperation with said tie rods.

10. As an article of manufacture, a gate comprising spaced pipe sections forming op- 11. As an article of manufacture, a gate which is a multiple of the distance between adjacent tie rods.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set comprising spaced pipe sections forming opposed seats for said valve, and a refractory filling between said pipes and of a thick- 'ness less than the overall thickness of the valve, said filling comprising a plurality of individually removable refractory sections.

12. As an article of manufacture, a valve comprising a pairof spaced tubular members bent into the shape of an exterior frame adapted to receive a filling of refractory material therebetween, and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said tubular members.

13. As an articleof manufacture, a valve comprising a pair of spaced tubular members bent into the shape of an exterior frame which defines the seat of the valve, said members being provided with a tubular crossconnection, and means for establishing circulation of a cooling fluid through said tubular 'frame members and cross-connection.

14. As an article of manufacture, a valve comprising a-pair of spaced tubular members bent into the shape of an exterior frame which defines the seat of the valve, a tubular cross-connection for establishing v communication between said members, a water inlet connection to one of said membersand an outlet connection to the other, and a sectional refractory filling built into the valve between said tubular members.

15.- A gate valve comprising pipe sections which form the exterior seat-defining frame my hand.

of the valve, said pipe sections being held I in predetermined spaced relation by spacing members at least one of which is hollow so as to establish communication between the pipe sections, a filling of refractory material built into said valve between said pipe sections, and of a thickness less than the overall thickness of the valve, and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said pipe sections.

16. A gate valve comprising pipe sections having closed ends and bent into the shape of an exterior seat-defining frame adapted to receive a filling of refractory material, said sections being reinforced and held in predetermined spaced relation by tie rods and cross-connecting members, at least one of said cross members being hollow to establish communication between said pipe sections, a topiplate secured to the closed end portions of the pipe sections, and meansfor establishing circulation of a cooling fluid through said sections.

17 A gate valve comprising spaced pipe sections bent into 'the shape of anexterior seat-defining frame, 'a hollow transverse connection for establishing communication between said sections, tie rods extending between said sections, and a sectional refractory filling supported'by said sections, each section of said filling having a thickness PERRY D. HUsHoUR. 

